With

With
tourists making their annual pilgrimage to Ibiza
clubs such as Space, Pacha and DC10, DJs enjoy god-like status on The White
Isle. Come summertime, you’re probably never more than a few feet
away from one. But not all are created equal. Here we talk to some
of the stars of the scene – including Richy Ahmed,
Solomun, Nic Fanciulli, Jasper James and the Mambo Brothers – about their favourite island
hotspots.

Richy Ahmed

Richy Ahmed is the prototype of a new breed of British DJs who
are cross-referencing genres like techno, disco, funk and hip-hop
to create new sounds that are both addictive and impossible to
define. He’s been going to Ibiza for over 16 years and once told us
it was his favourite place on Earth. He’s now a resident at
Paradise and playing at ElRow.

Have you seen Ibiza change over the years?

Yeah, I’ve seen it change just like anywhere does. Some good
bits, some bad bits. As a lot of people say, it’s got a lot more
commercial but there are a loads of cool underground places and
many island spots are the same. Ibiza has also been brought to a
wider audience, which I think is a good thing.

Wildest Ibiza memory?

Probably taking Tommy Lee to Amnesia… I’ll leave the rest to your
imagination!

San Antonio or not?

Yes, why not!

Worst Ibiza memory?

Oh god… Getting on a plane having been up for five days on my
first ever holiday there. I was going back to work as an IT
engineer which was my first job after I graduated. Going back to
that after your first two-week lads holiday in Ibiza was the
absolute worst!

Five songs on your Ibiza playlist?

Richy Ahmed – Put Me In A Trance

Richy Ahmed – Kimalaya

Floorplan – Music

Senzala – Phase

Cuartero – Multiverso

Where would you go..

For a quiet beach?

I like Cala Llonga.

To escape?

There’s a spa called Hacienda which is miles away from everything- Eats Everything
went there on his honeymoon.

To party on the beach?

Probably Benirras, that’s a really good party… Or Las Salinas,
or Talamanca. Ahh, there are loads – I can’t choose!

For a long dinner with friends?

The Fish Shack, everybody loves it there. It’s
chilled, simple, fresh and not too expensive. I normally stay
around that area so I can pop in and get some nice fish, then sit
and watch the sun go down. It’s amazing.

For the best hotel?

The same place I’d go to escape. Hacienda for both! It’s my
favourite hotel and my favourite place to relax – the view is just
next level. It’s set in a cave and the rooms have got jacuzzis the
size of a mini pool on your balcony.

For the best night out on the island?

DC­10 for Paradise!

For a night out if you didn’t want a big one?

I’d just go to Benirras, chill on the beach and listen to all
the alternative types of music.

For a hungover breakfast?

If I’m hungover the greasy stuff generally makes me feel worse,
so for something a bit healthier I’d go to Passion.

Solomun

For any electronic music fans, Solomun is a man that needs no
introduction. For the rest of you, Solomun is a world-famous DJ who
is credited by Resident Advisor as “redefining European house
music.” While his Ibiza history isn’t as long as some of his
counterparts (he first visited in 2011) his residency at Pacha
means it looks like him and the island have a long future together.
Be sure to check out his album Solomun Selected Remixes 2009-2015,
released 1 July on Dynamic Music.

Wildest Ibiza Memory?

Oh my… I was expecting that question! As I’m sure you can
imagine I’ve experienced quite a few wild things on this island…
I tend not to tell the wildest stories. But we do a lot of villa
after parties, where anything can happen and anything does
happen.

Worst Ibiza memory?

I only remember the good things. This makes life easier.

San Antonio or not?

Of course. And around San An there are beautiful beaches and
spots.

Five songs on your Ibiza playlist?

Whilk & Misky – Clap Your Hands (Solomun remix)

Kollektiv Turmstrasse – Sorry I’m Late (Pig & Dan remix)

Stimming – Alpe Lusia

Moderat – Eating Hooks – (Siriusmo remix)

The Game & 50 Cent – Hate It or Love It

Where would you go…

For a quiet beach?

Cala Conta because the sunset is amazing and the food at
Sunset
Ashram is great. Especially the mussels.

To escape?

I can’t tell you guys, sorry! It’s really important to have an
escape spot that nobody else knows about.

To party on the beach?

That is also complicated. Since 2015 it’s not that easy to do
beach parties in Ibiza. We did it last year with Diynamic at
Beachouse
and it was a really nice atmosphere. But in the end, the police
shut down our party so we couldn’t do the last two which was a
shame.

For a long dinner with friends?

The Fish Shack at Talamanca. It’s a real fish shack on a cliff
with amazing dorada and lamb chops. Or Can Pilot in
San Rafael – we call it “the meat paradise” because that is exactly
what it is.

For the best hotel?

I would go for Gran Hotel but a more budget option is El Hotel,
directly opposite Pacha. If you want something a little more
chilled and remote, Destino Ibizais the one.

For the best night out on the island?

Of course, I’m not at all objective when answering this question
– I would strongly recommend my night at Pacha every Sunday,
Solomun+1. Other cool nights and clubs are Cocoon on Mondays
at Amnesia with Sven Väth, Circoloco also on the Mondays at DC10
and Marco Carola’s Music On, which is every Friday at Amnesia.

Jasper James

This house and techno DJ is one of the UK’s rising stars in the
world of electronic music. Spinning at clubs in the UK and abroad,
he came to Ibiza five years ago and hasn’t looked back since,
living there over the summer. This year you’ll see him at island
favourite DC10.

How have you seen Ibiza change over the years?

It seems to be getting busier every year. Also the crowd is
getting younger – but then again, I’m getting older.

Wildest Ibiza memory?

I can’t tell you or I would probably end up in jail…

San Antonio or not?

100% yes. Love a West End Warriors session.

Five songs on your Ibiza playlist?

Impulsion – The Trip (DJ Pierre remix)

Yo Yo Honey – Groove On

Papa Washington Trio – Calling All Dancers

Trevino – Black Cat

Makam – You Might Lose It (Kerri Chandler 623 remix)

Where would you go…

For a quiet beach?

Sa Caleta is one of my favourites. A small intimate beach with
beautiful crystal clear water, it also has a great little
restaurant which does the best seafood.

To escape?

My bedroom – I put down the blackout blinds and lock the
door.

To party on the beach?

Not too sure but we throw a cracking party at our apartment. It
involves an iPod dock and a few lads.

For a long dinner with friends?

Can Pilot in San Rafael. Amazing steak and reasonably
priced.

For the best hotel?

The only hotel I’ve ever stayed in was in San An, right next to
the egg statue. It was myself and Jackmaster on a budget around
five years ago. There was no air con so we bought a cheap fan which
blew hot air at us while we attempted to get some sleep.

For the best night out on the island?

DC10 is my favourite place to party on the island. I also have
the privilege and honour of being asked to play at Circoloco this
year!

For a night out if you don’t want a big one?

No such thing.

For a hangover breakfast?

Passion for a smoothie and some scrambled eggs.

The Mambo Brothers

There are few people who know Ibiza as well as The Mambo
brothers. Christian and Alan Anadon were born and raised on the
island and have seen some of the world’s most famous DJs play at
their family’s famous sunset bar Cafe Mambo. The
brothers now tour the world as a DJ duo, but still run the Ibiza
establishment and legendary party hotspot.

How have you seen Ibiza change over the years?

We’ve seen the music change, the venues change – but the essence
is still the same.

Wildest Ibiza memory?

Going as a children to the nudist beach next to Cala Tarida. You
can only imagine what we saw here in Ibiza back in the early 90s,
all these free souls… It was a pretty wild time!

Worst Ibiza memory?

We don’t have bad Ibiza memories! The worst thing that can
happen here is that you miss your flight home… But for some that’s
not always such a bad thing either.

San Antonio or not?

Definitely San Antonio! We have the best coastline, the world
famous sunset bars and it’s where so many people fall in love with
the island for first time.

Five songs on your Ibiza playlist?

Barefoot In The Head – A Man Called Adam

808 State – Pacific State

Mambo Brothers – Momento

Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy

DJ Rolando- Jaguar

Where would you go…

For a quiet beach?

Cala Gracioneta. One of the hidden gems of the island just
outside San Antonio.

To escape?

Spanish omelette at Can Cosmi in Santa Inés.

To party on the beach?

Anywhere that Guy Gerber is playing!

For a long dinner with friends?

Hostal
La Torre. We love relaxing there from the sundown until late,
drinking good Spanish red wine.

For the best hotel?

La Torre too! You have to check it out. It’s like a taste of
unspoilt Ibiza from the 70s.

For the best night out on the island?

Pacha, hands down still the sexiest club in the world.

For a night out if you don’t want a big one?

Cocktails at Villa Mercedes listening Paco Fernandez and his
Spanish guitar.

For a hangover breakfast?

Bondi for the Australian-style breakfast. It’s a great
healthy way to start the day and get ourselves back on track.

Nic Fanciulli

Nic Fanciulli is a DJ, producer and label owner of Saved Records
and remains one of “the UK’s finest exports in electronic music.”
He’s been going to Ibiza for over 20 years – on family holidays as
a child and later playing B2B with Carl Cox. This year you’ll see
him at his residency We Are the Night at Pacha.

How have you seen Ibiza change over the years?

I think over the years the island has changed a lot, mainly in a
more commercial sense of the word. But for me the essence of Ibiza
is always still there. It never loses it’s magic. Change isn’t
necessarily a bad thing and over the years I’ve learnt to embrace
it. I’ve played pretty much every club on the island at one point
or another – Pacha, Space, DC10, Ushuaia, Amnesia – and they’re all
better than ever.

Wildest Ibiza memory?

Not many I can talk about! There have definitely been a lot of
parties over the years…

Worst Ibiza memory?

My worst memory was back in 2006. Italy had won the World Cup
the night before and James Zabiela and I had just played the Space
terrace. We were on such a high. The next morning I left my bag
alone in the hotel room for 30 minutes and when I came back
everything was gone. I was right in the middle of mixing my
Renaissance compilation, so I had to start that again. I lost all
my music, all the album sketches, everything! It was a nightmare
end a great trip.

San Antonio or not?

I think San Antonio has a bit of a bad reputation, but there are
actually some amazing places there. It’s my favourite place to
watch the sunset on the island and I have a lot of friends that
live around the area. I used to use the Mambo studio (above Cafe
Mambo) and made some music there that I’m really proud of, so
certain people and places there will always have a special place in
my heart.

Five songs on your Ibiza playlist?

Butch – At The Jungle (Saved Records)

Human Machine – 146 (Connaisseur)

Jamie XX (Feat. Romy) – SeeSaw (Nic Fanciulli Remix)

The Mole – If I Had a Nickel (Maybe Tomorrow)

Andrea Oliva – Vermona (White Label)

Where would you go…

For a quiet beach?

There are a few secret places I have, butI do love Es Torrent for a
quiet lunch on the beach. It’s becoming a bit more scene-y there
now, but it’s still a beautiful setting with amazing food.

To escape?

Experimental
Beach is amazing for drinks with friends.

To party on the beach?

For actual parties on the beach the best has always been Guy
Gerber’s RUMORS party. They’re really clamping down on these now
though. It’s a shame as partying in open air was always what Ibiza
was about.

For a long dinner with friends?

Sa Capella for sure. You can get lost there for
hours.

For the best hotel?

It depends. If I’m just coming into play, I always stay at Gran
Hotel. But if I’m here spending a bit more time I love to stay at
Atzaro. It’s a
bit further out, but such a nice place to spend time.

For the best night out on the island?

I guess I have to say We Are The Night, my new residency at
Pacha. But I also love going around to all the other parties to see
my friends.

For a night out if you don’t want a big one?

At home! There’s no such thing as a quiet night in Ibiza.
Lunches turn into dinners which turn into nights out…

For a hangover breakfast?

Wild Beets in
Santa Gertrudis is great